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first time visitor |
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We know – it is not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Do I belong here? Will the people be unfriendly, or too friendly? Will I be conspicuous? How should I dress? Will they ask me for money? Will my kids like it?
Worship at First Church is a fairly traditional worship experience. That means that the people gathered here to worship God will sing together, pray together, hear God’s word proclaimed through readings from the Bible, and experience a time for teaching or sharing. Some people come to worship dressed in suits and dresses, and yet others wear pants, jeans or shorts. You and your family are welcome to wear whatever is comfortable for you. |
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| I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" |
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| Psalm 122:1 |
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Our 8:30 a.m. worship service, commonly known as the "Early Service,” is held in the West Vestry which seats approximately 150 persons. This service has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere and is somewhat shorter than the other Sunday service. It includes the same sermon as the other Sunday service, and the sacrament of Holy Communion is served every week. The Early Service Choir, small groups, soloists and instrumentalists provide special music occasionally. Several times during the year this service is moved to the sanctuary for special presentations.
On an average Sunday, you will enter the church through the red doors on the portico on the south side into the “Narthex” (vestibule leading to the worship area). There will be people there to greet you and help you find your way around. Ask these persons if you want directions to the nursery for your children (available for infants through age five). The “Early Service” (at 8:30 a.m. ) is usually held in a room on the west side of the church called “The West Vestry.” The “Late Service” ( 10:45 a.m. ) is in the central part of the building called “The Sanctuary.”
As you enter the worship area, an usher will hand you a “bulletin.” This program serves as a roadmap for the service and helps you more fully participate in the worship. The usher will also offer “children’s bulletins” and crayons for any children who remain with you during the service. You may ask an usher to guide you to a seat, or you can feel free to sit anywhere you like.
The service often starts with instrumental music called the “Prelude.” This allows you a time to center your heart and focus your mind to God in preparation for worship. We then usually spend some time singing a “Praise Chorus.” The pastor (or another worship leader) will give directions on what is being sung and where to find it in the hymnal. Feel free to sing as loud as you want. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, instructed all God’s people to “sing lustily and with a good courage” and to “have an eye to God in every word you sing.”
Then the pastor will share some announcements about the happenings in the church. This is a good time to get a sense of some of the programs and special events offered to the congregation. This is also a good time to complete the attendance pad, which allows the church to have a record of your visit and gives us the opportunity to contact you later should you desire.
Following the announcements at the Late Service there is a “Passing of the Peace,” which is a time when worship participants are given the opportunity to greet each another. (This is done at another time at the Early Service.) The pastor then leads the congregation in an opening prayer or a responsive “Call to Worship,” which asks God to be present in the service. An “Opening Hymn” (a song) often focused on praising God is then sung by the congregation.
Prayer is an important part of our worship services. We have a special time for personal silent prayers and also “Prayers of the Community,” a time when those who wish may share aloud with God and each other their praises and concerns. The bulletin also contains a list of specific concerns of our congregation each week. “Prayer Request Cards” are available in the pews to make private prayer requests known to the Prayer Chain or the pastors. We then recite “The Lord’s Prayer” together and sing a short musical response.
The service then moves from praising God and asking God to be present with us into a time of proclamation. We have a special “Children’s Time” at the Late Service, when all of the children are asked to come forward to join the pastor (or other special guest) on the stairs in the front of the sanctuary and hear a special message just for them. Parents are welcome to join their children if they are too young or shy to go by themselves. The Late Service then has some type of special music by a choir, soloist, or other special musical group. A “Lay Reader” (usually a member of First Church ) then reads a Scripture lesson from the Bible. Our pastor might also read another Scripture before starting the sermon. The sermons vary in form and focus, but generally the goal is to help the previously read Scriptures to come alive, explaining how they apply to our daily lives.
We are then invited to share what God has given us by giving back to the ministries of the church through an offering. Don’t feel any pressure to give unless God is leading you to do so. There are envelopes for your offering provided in the sanctuary pews.
The Early Service people usually sing a hymn as the ushers gather the offering, and the Late Service people will enjoy some type of special music, usually by one of our choirs. The congregation then stands and sings a “Doxology” (a special song of praise) as the offering is brought forward to the altar. The Early Service people then “Pass the Peace.”
The “Sacrament of Holy Communion” is served every Sunday at the Early Service, and is served the first Sunday of the month at the Late Service. This is when we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection by eating a holy meal of bread and juice that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ. Our church believes in “open communion,” which means that all are invited to participate, regardless of age or whether you are a member of this or any other church. We believe that God’s grace will be present with you, even if you don’t fully understand the significance of the act.
The pastor will lead the congregation in a series of musical responses, which are printed in the bulletin, and then everyone is invited to come forward and take part in the meal. There are “Communion Servers” that will help the pastors serve the meal, and the ushers will help direct everyone to the front.
Communion is usually served by “intinction,” which means that you will take a piece of bread and then dip it into the juice and eat the two together. Usually a special communion hymn is sung while everyone is being served.
A “Prayer of Thanksgiving” said in unison follows. The congregation will then sing a “Closing Hymn,” and the pastor offers a “Benediction” (a word of blessing for the coming week). The organist will play a “Postlude” as the pastors walk down the aisle and prepare to greet worshipers, and the service comes to a close.
We hope you will feel comfortable enough to stay around for a while after the service. Don’t be afraid to let the people around you know that you are a visitor. Church is about God and worship, but it is also about community and friendship, so we hope you will take the time to experience the warmth and friendliness of First Church . Take the opportunity before you leave to introduce yourself to our pastors and enjoy some coffee or juice during “Fellowship Time” following the Late Service.
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